We endure the remainder of the class in silence and I surprise myself by being able to concentrate on my mind and body instead of everything else going on in the world around me. By the end of the class, I’m feeling completely rejuvenated. Kamal taps his gong to rouse us from the foetal position then we follow his moves, crossing our legs and bringing our hands to prayer position.
‘Good class today,’ he says with three claps of his hands. ‘As always, to draw the full benefit from the class, drink lots of water and eat lots of good fruit and vegetables throughout the day.’
Another drawback to being positioned in the back corner of the room is that we’re last to the showers. Amanda tuts and taps her feet in the queue for the four cubicles as if she really wants to get to work. I know better than to fall for that.
The cool air is welcome as we leave the yoga studio.
The result of hot yoga, a warm shower and twenty minutesblow-drying my hair is that my cheeks are flushed even beneath my light covering of make-up.
‘Ohhhhh that’s soooooo goooood!’ Amanda groans, lifting her face to the sky. ‘Starbucks or Pret?’
‘Hmm, let’s go Pret today.’
‘Fabulous! Do you have much on later?’
I sigh. ‘I really need to get my head down and draft a paper for Gregory.’
‘He puts a lot of work your way, doesn’t he?’
‘We’ll see. It’s early days really but he is for now. How about you? Are you busy?’
‘Not really. I’ve been keeping a low profile for a while but my utilisation figure is shocking. There’s absolutely no chance of me getting a bonus if I don’t put in some hours soon. Do you have anything you could pass my way?’
I watch Amanda’s back as she makes her way to the counter of Pret. Working with her is a nightmare. As soon as she gets bored, she stops pulling her weight and keeping to deadlines seems to be her nemesis. But she needs my help.
‘Sure. I’ll take a look at the matters I’ve got on and hand a couple over.’
‘Great, thanks!’ She casts the words back to me over her shoulder then returns her attention to the barista.
I make my way to the next free server, depositing a banana and a bag of almonds on the counter, and ask for a skinny latte.
Amanda has perched herself on a stool in the window with coffee and a bacon and egg bagel. She chuckles when I take up the stool next to her, munching rapidly with hamster cheeks.
‘I feel like taking a picture of my breakfast and tweeting it to Kamal,’ she says through a half-eaten, nasty blend of egg and bread.
I laugh at the thought of his face. ‘For the record, what’sgoing on in your mouth is disgusting,’ I say when I’m able to speak. ‘You should think about taking smaller bites.’
She responds by wrapping her mouth around as much bagel as she can manage and taking a mammoth bite with a completely satisfied moan.
After checking my emails, I lock my computer screen and resolve to focus on the Shangzen Tek joint venture paper. I switch my phone to silent and divert my calls to Margaret. I really don’t have time for wayward thoughts and distractions today and I reallywouldlike to cling to my healthy, post-yoga zen as long as possible.
It’s almost twelve when I look up from my document for the first time. I’ve scribbled an outline which Margaret can type up and drafted a short list of colleagues in other departments who I need to ask for input. I unlock my screen to find, unsurprisingly, my email count has risen by double figures. The last three emails are from Margaret with subject lines reading:
Mr Ryans of GJR Enterprises has called, please return his call
Mr Ryans has called again and asked that you return his call as soon as possible
Mr Ryans has called a third time – said it is urgent.
The two emails before Margaret’s are from Gregory, both asking me to call him. There are countless missed calls and a text on my phone.
Please call. I need you.
There’s a sharp knock on my office door then Margaret appears wearing a rather harassed expression. ‘I’m sorry, Scarlett, I know you don’t want to be disturbed but?—’
‘Mr Ryans?’
‘Yes. He’s called again and he sounds very agitated. I really think you need to call him.’
